Waterproof shield for toggle switches



May 4, E943. R. R. GoNsETT Erm.

2,44%943 WATERPROOF SHIELD 'FOR TOGGLE SWITCHES Filed Sept. 19, 1944 4fy I A O O N F 2 F M ill'v Patented May 4, 1948 2,440,943 v WATERPROOFsalam ron 'roGGLE SWITCHES Robert R. Gonsett and Faust R. Gonsett.

Los

Angeles. Calif.

Applicaties september 19, 1944, serai No. 554,802 i claims. (ci.zoo-i12) It is an object of this invention to provide a multiple partprotecting waterproof shield for a toggle switch and similar electricalequipment whereby the securing means for the shield may be locatedwholly Within the shield.

It is an object of this invention to provide a waterproof protectingshield of flexible material, such as rubber, rubber composition or anyother suitable material.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an unique structuralmeans wh'ereby the flexible waterproof shield may be secured to theswitch in a waterproof fashion defining a waterproof connection betweensaid switch, switch casing and said shield.

It is an object of this invention to provide a flexible shield having atubular handle portion closely embracing a tubular bearing sleeve whichis adapted to slidably engage the toggle handle of the switch,

Other features of novelty will appear in th'e specic description of theinvention as disclosed in the drawing which represents the preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of a toggle switch having our waterproofprotecting shield secured thereto.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through our protecting shield asapplied to a conventional toggle switch.

In the drawings the panel portion i of the yswitch casing is a supportfor the toggle switch 2 having a screw threaded hollow stem 3. The stem3 passes through the washer t, panel portion i, the iexible washer 5 therigid tubular flanged connecting element 6 and is secured and supportedin a waterproof condition by the nuts 'i and 8.

The exible waterproof shield 9 comprises a skirt i and a tubular handleportion il connected by a ilexible diaphragm i2. T'he tubular connectingelement 6 is provided with an out turned ilange or bead i3 on one endand an inturned flange M on its other end. The tubular handle portion ilis provided withva bearing sleeve i received therein. The bearing sleevel5 loosely and slidably engages the toggle operating means or handle I6.

The skirt i0 is preferably provided with a shallow annular groove toreceive the clamping ring i1.

The shield 9 and the flexible washer 5 are preferably made of plasticmaterial such as rubber, rubber composition, or any other suitableplastic flexible material that may accomplish the desired function ofthe shield 9.

The bearing sleeve l5 may be made of brass titi or any othercomparatively rigid material that will slide easily along the operatinghandle it of the switch t.

It is to be observed that the shield t when secured in position with thewasher 5 forms a complete imperforate waterproof cover for the outsideportion of the toggle switch 2.

The imperforate shield or cover is, at least, analogous to and theequivalent of insulating means since it maintains an insulated path forthe ow of electricity and the operator is insulated electrically fromthe switch by the rubber shield or cover.

The skirt l@ of the shield d is ilrxnly secured to the rigid tubularflanged connecting element t by the helical spring band or clamping ringil.

The application and attachment of our waterprooi shield t to aconventional toggle switch t on a panel portion i is very simple. whenthe toggle switch is in secured position on a panel portion i by thenuts l and d, it is merely necessary to remove the nut apply theyieldabie waterproof washer t also tubular flanged connecting element tand re-apply the nut t to the threaded stem t as shown in Fig. 2. Nextthe skirt I@ is applied over the flanged free end of the element d inthe meantime the operating means I of the toggle switch is guided intothe bearing sleeve It and, lastly, the spring clamping ring il isapplied to the skirt l@ to securely maintain the shield t on the switch2.

It is to be noted that our shield construction is essentially anattachment to a known type of toggle switch that is in general use. Ourattachment comprises a. plurality of attachable and detachable elements,parts or units. One unit includes a tubular handle integrally connectedto a tubular skirt portion by a flexible diaphragm. The bearing sleeveit within the handle ccmprises ancther unit. The tubular flangedccnnecting element t comprises another unit. The washer and the clampingband Il are two other units which make a total of five distinct units.

All of these units, when assembled in operative relation, constitute anattachment to seal a switch against the entrance oi' water or any otherfluids that may be present in the atmosphere ambient about the switch.

Inasmuch as the securing means for the attachment is located solelywithin the shield it is essential that the shield be made of a pluralityoi separate individual units which can be readily assembled and securedtogether in operative relation.

In making the assembly no additional screws. nuts or bolts are needed.since it is merely necessary to use the screw threaded stem of theswitch and its screw threaded nuts to secure the water proofingattachment in place on the switch.

This protecting shield has a field of application under conditions whereit is necessary to protect toggle switches and like electrical equipmentfrom the entrance of water. or other liquids into the equipment -andthereby protecting such equipment for elcient operation.

The shield is especially useful in boats, vessels, planes, landingcraft, etc.

It will now be clearly understood that we have produced a novel andunique attachment for electrical equipment, such as electric switcheswhich have, at least, one screw threaded nut for holding the electricalequipment or electrical switch in place when installed Our invention notonly constitutes a novel attachment, but when installed, on electricalequipment, such as a switch, constitutes a new combination oi switch andwaterproofing attachment therefor.

Having fully disclosed our said invention in its preferred embodiment,what we claim is:

1. A toggle switch having a screw threaded stem and having screwthreaded nuts on said stem, a switch handle oscillatably mounted in saidstem and having its free end extending away from said switch beyonr.said screw threaded stem whereby said switch may be operated; incombination with an imperforate insulating waterproofing shieldattachment secured over said handle and on said stem by said screwthreaded nuts, a portion of said attachment comprising a tubular portionhaving a closed end, said tubular portion slidably receiving said switchhandle. one of said nuts being located wholly within said waterproofingshield attachment whereby the switch, the switch handle the nut and stemare completely shielded against the entrance of water or other fluidsambient about the switch.

2. A toggle switch having -a screw threaded stem and screw threaded nutson said stem, a

switch handle oscillatably mounted on said stem and having its free endextending away from' said switch and beyond said stem whereby saidswitch may be operated; in combination with a multiple part insulatingwaterproofing shield attachment, said attachment comprising a yieldablewasher and a flanged rigid tubular connecting element disposed aboutsaid screw threaded stem and secured in position by said screw threadednuts, a tubular shielding part comprising a flexible diaphragm animperforate skirt and a flexible tubular handle engaging portion saidskirt and said tubular handle extending in opposite directions from saiddiaphragm and integrally connected thereto, said tubular handle engagingportion receiving slidably said switch handle said tubular handle havingone closed end and said skirt engaging resiliently and tightly over thefree flanged end of said rigid tubular connecting element in furthercombination with a resilient clamping ring clamping said skirt securelyabout the free flanged end ci said rigid tubular connecting element.

3. A toggle switch waterproofing shield attachment, said attachmentcomprising a plurality of parts including a. yieldable sealing washer, a

rigid tubular connecting element having an inturned ilange at one of itsends and an out turned flange at its opposite end. said tubularconnecting element being surmounted on said yieldable sealing washer,means within said tubular connecting element to fasten or secure saidtubular .4 connecting element and washer upon said toggle switch, andanother shield attachment part for slidably receiving and shielding saidtoggle switch handle said last named part having a flexible diaphragmthereon and integral therewith said diaphragm having a skirt extendingtherefrom, said skirt integral therewith and embracing said tubularconnecting element and its out turned flange and secured thereon by aclamping ring, said diaphragm and skirt. being imperforate therebypreventing leakage of fluid therethrough.

4. A toggle switch having a waterproofing attachment secured thereon ina waterproof fashion by suitable fastening means, said attachmentcomprising a ilexibie diaphragm having a tubular handle receivingportion and a skirt portion, both of said portions extending in oppositedi- `lrections from said diaphragm said tubular handie having a closedend, said attachment further comprising a yieldable sealing washer and ailanged rigid tubular connecting element surmounted on said washer, saidskirt embracing said rigid tubular connecting element and disposedagainst said washer in sealing contact therewith, a resilient clamparranged about said skirt to assist in maintaining said skirt on saidrigid tubular connecting element and preserve sealing contact of saidskirt and washer, said suitable fastening means being located whollywithin said rigid tubular connecting element, whereby a portion oi saidswitch and its handle and the suitable fastening means are housed withinsaid attachment and shielded against contact with any fluid ambientabout said switch said tubular handle, diaphragm and skirt constitutingan integral lmperforate structure thereby effectively protecting andinsulating the switch.

5. An article of manufacture comprising a substructural part of awaterproong and insulating attachment for a toggle switch or likeelectrical equipment said part comprising an imperiorate ilexibleshield, said shield having a diaphragm, said diaphragm having a tubularhandle projecting therefrom in one direction and a skirt portionextending therefrom in the opposite direction, said handle having aclosed end said skirt having a shallow circumferential groove in itslouter portion, said groove being located adjacent theiree edge of saidskirt whereby the skirt may be forced by a clamping ring into sealingcontact with a yieldable sealing washer adapted to be associatedtherewith.

6. The article of manufacture set forth in claim 5 in which the tubularhandle is provided with a comparatively rigid bearing sleeve locatedwithin and embraced by said tubular handle.

7. The construction set forth in claim 2 in which the tubular handle isprovided with a comparatively rigid tubular insert comprising a bearinglocated within said handle and embraced by the same to form a slidablebearing to engage the switch handle.

ROBERT R. GONSETT. FAUST R. GONSETT.

REFERENCES CITED Th'e following references are of recordin the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 812,880 Rice Feb 20, 19062,334,901 Builcriohn Nov. 23, 1943

